Preliminary Assessment of Air Pollution Quality Levels of Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract The low-cost sensors and IoT have come to the rescue due to the high cost and operational complexity of equipment and methodologies in environmental monitoring. They are relatively inexpensive and reliable. It is on this assumption that we have decided to use the World Air Quality satellite data supplied by air matters.com. This study is a 40-day preliminary work in which air quality (Air Quality Index (AQI), PM2.5, PM10, NO2, CO, SO2, and O3) and meteorological (temperature, humidity, and wind speed) parameters were monitored. The data collected was for five locations in Lagos State, Nigeria (Ojodu, Opebi, Ikeja, Maryland, and Eti-Osa). The data obtained were subjected to basic statistical analyses. The findings showed that the Opebi had the highest mean value of PM2.5 (69.28 µg/m3), PM10 (107.38 µg/m3), and CO (1392 µg/m3). The mean values of O3 are as follows: 32.52, 38.7, 36.2, 37.85, and 36.13µg/m3 for Ikeja, Maryland, Opebi, Ojodu, and Eti-Osa respectively. Opebi had the highest value (3179µg/m3), followed by Eti-Osa (2978µg/m3), and the lowest value in Maryland (1943µg/m3) among the CO reference locations. AQI of all locations presented the levels of contamination as 'Unhealthy for Vulnerable Groups'. The pollutants were much higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. There were relationships between the parameters monitored and meteorological influences, and the effects of natural and man-made activities may be the sources of the elevated pollutants throughout the locations.

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Appropriate Number of Observations to Determine Hand Hygiene Compliance Among Healthcare Workers

Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ash.2021.125 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (S1) ◽

pp. s64-s64

Author(s):

Se Yoon Park ◽

Eunjung Lee ◽

Suyeon Park ◽

Tae Hyong Kim ◽

Sungho Won

Keyword(s):

Hand Hygiene ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽

Mean Value ◽

World Health ◽

The World ◽

Minimum Number ◽

The Mean ◽

Hygiene Compliance ◽

Health Organization

Background: We sought to determine the minimum number of observations needed to determine hand hygiene (HH) compliance among healthcare workers. Methods: The study was conducted at a referral hospital. We retrospectively analyzed the result of HH monitoring from January to December 2018. HH compliance was calculated by dividing the number of observed HH actions by the total number of opportunities. Appropriate HH compliance rates were calculated based on the 6-step technique, modified from the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation. The minimum number of required observations (n) was calculated by the following equation using overall mean value (r), absolute precision (d), and confidence interval (1-α) [The equation: n3 Zα/22×ρ×1-ρ/d2]. We considered ds of 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30%, with CIs of 99%, 95%, and 90%, respectively. Among the various cases, we focused on 10% for d and 95% for CI. Results: During the study period, 8,791 opportunities among 1,168 healthcare workers were monitored. The mean HH compliance and appropriate HH compliance rates were 80.3% and 59.7%, respectively (Table 1). The minimum number of observations required to determine HH compliance rates ranged from 2 (d, 30%; CI, 90%) to 624 (d, 5%; CI, 99%), and the minimum number of observations for optimal HH compliance ranged from 5 (d, 30%, CI, 90%) to 642 (d, 5%; CI, 99%) (Figure 1). At 10% absolute precision with 95% confidence, the minimum number of observations to determine HH and optimal HH compliance were 61 and 92, respectively. Conclusions: The minimum number of observations to determine HH compliance varies widely according to setting, but at least 5 were needed to determine optimal HH compliance.Funding: NoDisclosures: None

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Vaccination Coverage for Routine Vaccines and Herd Immunity Levels against Measles and Pertussis in the World in 2019

Vaccines ◽

10.3390/vaccines9030256 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 256

Author(s):

Pedro Plans-Rubió

Keyword(s):

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Action Plan ◽

Herd Immunity ◽

World Health ◽

Immunization Programs ◽

National Immunization ◽

The World ◽

Measles Vaccination ◽

The Mean ◽

Health Organization

In 2012, the World Health Organization (WHO) established the Global Vaccine Action Plan with the objective to promote essential vaccinations in all countries and achieve at least 90% vaccination coverage for all routine vaccines by 2020. The study assessed the mean percentages of vaccination coverage in 2019 for 13 routine vaccines, vaccination coverage variation from 2015 to 2019, and herd immunity levels against measles and pertussis in 2019 in countries and regions of WHO. In 2019, the mean percentages of vaccination coverage were lower than 90% for 10 (78.9%) routine vaccines. The mean percentages of vaccination coverage also decreased from 2015 to 2019 for six (46.2%) routine vaccines. The prevalence of individuals with vaccine-induced measles immunity in the target measles vaccination population was 88.1%, and the prevalence of individuals with vaccine-induced pertussis immunity in the target pertussis vaccination population was 81.1%. Herd immunity against measles viruses with Ro = 18 was established in 63 (32.5%) countries but not established in any region. Herd immunity against pertussis agents was not established in any country and in any region of WHO. National immunization programs must be improved to achieve ≥90% vaccination coverage in all countries and regions. Likewise, it is necessary to achieve ≥95% vaccination coverage with two doses of measles vaccines and three doses of pertussis vaccines in all countries and regions.

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The use of vitreous renal chemistries in the discrimination of postmortem fresh water drowning

Toxicology Research and Application ◽

10.1177/2397847321997523 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. 239784732199752

Author(s):

Eni-yimini Solomon Agoro ◽

Charles German Ikimi ◽

Tommy Edidiong

Keyword(s):

Fresh Water ◽

Biochemical Parameters ◽

World Health ◽

The World ◽

Diacetyl Monoxime ◽

Water Pond ◽

The Mean ◽

Health Organization ◽

Post Hoc ◽

Cover Up

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated drowning as the leading cause of unintentional death in the world, with 372,000 deaths reported annually. Not all drowning are unintentional; some could be disguised to cover up an act of heinous criminality. This study was aimed at using some vitreous renal function biochemical parameters as a discriminant of postmortem fresh water drowning. Twelve albino rabbits constituted the sample size as validated by Mead’s formula. The study was divided into three groups; the control, postmortem-drowned and truly drowned as mimicked using an artificial fresh water pond. Vitreous humours were extracted using Coe method. The vitreous renal chemistries were analysed using diacetyl monoxime, Jaffe’s test, uricase and ion-selective electrode (ISE) methods respectively. Result: The mean of vitreous creatinine, urea, uric acid, Na+, K+, Cl−, Ca2+, glucose and CO2 of the control, postmortem-drowned and truly drowned groups were compared using One-way Anova (post-hoc-LSD) with the aid of SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA; Version 18–21 package. The findings revealed a significant increase in concentrations of vitreous creatinine, glucose, Ca2+ and K+ of the drowned death group, whereas vitreous concentrations of CO2 and urea significantly decreased when compared to the controls and/or postmortem-drowned death. Conclusion: The study has shown that some of the studied vitreous biochemical parameters could be used as an ancillary tool in discriminating death due to fresh water drowning from that of disguised or postmortem-drowned death.

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Coronavirus Pandemic: Coping with the Psychological Outcomes, Mental Changes, and the “New Normal” During and After COVID-19

10.36811/ojda.2020.110005 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 07-19

Author(s):

Hiba Takieddine ◽

Samaa AL Tabbah

Keyword(s):

Healthcare Providers ◽

Well Being ◽

World Health ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Public Health Response ◽

New Normal ◽

The World ◽

Health Organization ◽

The Impact

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease that has rapidly swept across the world, inducing a considerable degree of fear, worry and concern in the population at large and among certain groups in particular, such as older adults, healthcare providers and people with underlying health conditions. Authorities around the world tried to prevent the virus spread by imposing social distancing measures, quarantining citizens and isolating infected persons. Apart from its physical impact, COVID-19 pandemic has brought numerous changes to people’s lives. It changed daily routines, caused worldwide economic crisis, increased unemployment, and placed people under emotional and financial pressures. It affected people psychologically and mentally especially in terms of emotions and cognition. During the acute crisis, everyone to varying degrees experienced fear of infection, somatic concerns, worries about the pandemic’s consequences, loneliness, depression, stress, as well as increased alcohol and drug use. As part of its public health response, the World Health Organization (WHO) has worked with partners to develop a set of new guidelines and messages that can be used to prevent, manage, and support mental and psychological well-being in different vulnerable target groups during the outbreak. Whether people like it or not, the psychological sequela of this pandemic will emerge and persist for months and years to come leading to long-term consequences. New lifestyles and “New Normals” will surely emerge. The main purpose of this review is to summarize the impact of coronavirus pandemic on the psychological and mental health of people around the world especially vulnerable groups. It also presents the relevant intervention actions and recommendations to cope efficiently and effectively with the psychological short-term and long-term outcomes, mental changes, and the “New Normal” during and after COVID-19. Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus, Psychological; Mental; New Normal

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Spinal surgery complications: an unsolved problem—Is the World Health Organization Safety Surgical Checklist an useful tool to reduce them?

European Spine Journal ◽

10.1007/s00586-019-06203-x ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (5) ◽

pp. 927-936

Author(s):

Giovanni Barbanti-Brodano ◽

Cristiana Griffoni ◽

Jarkko Halme ◽

Giuseppe Tedesco ◽

Silvia Terzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

World Health Organization ◽

Spinal Surgery ◽

World Health ◽

The World ◽

Oncological Diseases ◽

Supplementary Material ◽

The Mean ◽

Health Organization ◽

Surgical Checklist

Abstract Purpose To investigate whether the World Health Organization Safety Surgical Checklist (SSC) is an effective tool to reduce complications in spinal surgery. Methods We retrospectively evaluated the clinical and radiological charts prospectively collected from patients who underwent a spinal surgery procedure from January 2010 to December 2012. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of complications between two periods, from January to December 2010 (without checklist) and from January 2011 and December 2012 (with checklist), in order to assess the checklist’s effectiveness. Results The sample size was 917 patients with an average of 30-month follow-up. The mean age was 52.88 years. The majority of procedures were performed for oncological diseases (54.4%) and degenerative diseases (39.8%). In total, 159 complications were detected (17.3%). The overall incidence of complications for trauma, infectious pathology, oncology, and degenerative disease was 22.2%, 19.2%, 18.4%, and 15.3%, respectively. No correlation was observed between the type of pathology and the complication incidence. We observed a reduction in the overall incidence of complications following the introduction of the SSC: In 2010 without checklist, the incidence of complications was 24.2%, while in 2011 and 2012, following the checklist introduction, the incidence of complications was 16.7% and 11.7%, respectively (mean 14.2%). Conclusions The SSC seems to be an effective tool to reduce complications in spinal surgery. We propose to extend the use of checklist system also to the preoperative and postoperative phases in order to further reduce the incidence of complications. Graphic abstract These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

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A Multi-Pollutant Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) Based on Short-Term Respiratory Effects in Stockholm, Sweden

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16010105 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 105 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Henrik Olstrup ◽

Christer Johansson ◽

Bertil Forsberg ◽

Andreas Tornevi ◽

Agneta Ekebom ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Birch Pollen ◽

Mean Value ◽

Emergency Department Visits ◽

Percentage Increase ◽

Health Index ◽

Mean Values ◽

Quality Health ◽

The Mean ◽

Air Quality Health Index

In this study, an Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) for Stockholm is introduced as a tool to capture the combined effects associated with multi-pollutant exposure. Public information regarding the expected health risks associated with current or forecasted concentrations of pollutants and pollen can be very useful for sensitive persons when planning their outdoor activities. For interventions, it can also be important to know the contribution from pollen and the specific air pollutants, judged to cause the risk. The AQHI is based on an epidemiological analysis of asthma emergency department visits (AEDV) and urban background concentrations of NOx, O3, PM10 and birch pollen in Stockholm during 2001–2005. This analysis showed per 10 µg·m–3 increase in the mean of same day and yesterday an increase in AEDV of 0.5% (95% CI: −1.2–2.2), 0.3% (95% CI: −1.4–2.0) and 2.5% (95% CI: 0.3–4.8) for NOx, O3 and PM10, respectively. For birch pollen, the AEDV increased with 0.26% (95% CI: 0.18–0.34) for 10 pollen grains·m–3. In comparison with the coefficients in a meta-analysis, the mean values of the coefficients obtained in Stockholm are smaller. The mean value of the risk increase associated with PM10 is somewhat smaller than the mean value of the meta-coefficient, while for O3, it is less than one fifth of the meta-coefficient. We have not found any meta-coefficient using NOx as an indicator of AEDV, but compared to the mean value associated with NO2, our value of NOx is less than half as large. The AQHI is expressed as the predicted percentage increase in AEDV without any threshold level. When comparing the relative contribution of each pollutant to the total AQHI, based on monthly averages concentrations during the period 2015–2017, there is a tangible pattern. The AQHI increase associated with NOx exhibits a relatively even distribution throughout the year, but with a clear decrease during the summer months due to less traffic. O3 contributes to an increase in AQHI during the spring. For PM10, there is a significant increase during early spring associated with increased suspension of road dust. For birch pollen, there is a remarkable peak during the late spring and early summer during the flowering period. Based on monthly averages, the total AQHI during 2015–2017 varies between 4 and 9%, but with a peak value of almost 16% during the birch pollen season in the spring 2016. Based on daily mean values, the most important risk contribution during the study period is from PM10 with 3.1%, followed by O3 with 2.0%.

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Determination of Heavy Metals in Damascus Drinking Water Using Total Reflection X-Ray Fluorescence

Water Quality Research Journal ◽

10.2166/wqrj.1999.014 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 34 (2) ◽

pp. 305-316 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

E.H. Bakraji ◽

J. Karajo

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Drinking Water ◽

Total Reflection ◽

World Health ◽

X Ray ◽

Quality Guidelines ◽

The World ◽

The Mean ◽

Health Organization

Abstract Total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and chemical preconcentration have been applied for multi-elemental analysis of Damascus drinking water. Water was taken directly from taps of several city sectors and analyzed for the following trace elements: Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se and Pb. The detection limits were found to be in the range of 0.1 to 0.4 µg/L. The mean levels of trace elements in the Damascus drinking water were below the World Health Organization drinking water quality guidelines.

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Issuances of Automotive Vehicles and the Impacts on Air Quality in the Largest City in the Brazilian Amazon

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su10114091 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 4091 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Elizabeth Cartaxo ◽

Ilsa Valois ◽

Vladimiro Miranda ◽

Marcia Costa

Keyword(s):

Carbon Monoxide ◽

Air Quality ◽

Traffic Congestion ◽

Brazilian Amazon ◽

World Health ◽

Sampling Locations ◽

The World ◽

Health Organization ◽

The City ◽

Over Time

Manaus, a city of more than two million people, suffers problems arising from strong sunlight and aggravated by several factors, such as traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions generated by evaporation and burning of fuel. The present study examined Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) emissions in an urban area of the city using different methodologies. CO and NO2 were measured using automated and passive analyzers, respectively. Meanwhile, direct monitoring of these pollutants was performed in vehicular sources in the vicinity of sampling locations. Results showed that levels of carbon monoxide vary over time, being higher during peak movement of vehicles. NO2 values have exceeded the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), and monitoring at source showed high levels of CO and NO2 emissions to the atmosphere.

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New Growth Curves for Spanish Children (0–10 Years) in the Region of Extremadura

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18178953 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (17) ◽

pp. 8953

Author(s):

Luis Pardo-Galán ◽

Raquel Pastor-Cisneros ◽

Daniel Collado-Mateo ◽

José Adsuar ◽

Miguel García-Gordillo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Growth Curves ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

World Health ◽

Regional Government ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mean Values ◽

The Social ◽

The Mean ◽

Health Organization

The anthropometric reference data used to examine the growth pattern of children in Spain are obtained from studies carried out several years ago. In the region of Extremadura, the tables obtained by the Faustino Obergozo Foundation, which date back to 2004, are used. The first objective of this work is to develop growth tables and graphs that accurately reflect the somatometric variables of children in Extremadura. Secondly, the averages of these variables by sex will be compared to determine if there are significant differences between them. A database provided by the General Directorate of Planning, Training, and Health and Social Quality of the Regional Government of Extremadura was used, which contains the measurements of height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) of boys and girls in Extremadura between the years 2006–2016. The database was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 and the R software version 3.5.1, considering a cross-sectional study. As a result, the tables and growth graphs of Extremadura’s population base for weight and height are presented, from birth to 10 years, as well as comparisons of the average values of the analyzed variables between boys and girls. We found that there are significant differences in the mean values, according to sex, of the height and weight. On the other hand, BMI progressed normally when comparing the results of the Extremadura population with those reflected by the World Health Organization (WHO). Differences were found when comparing the results with those obtained by the Faustino Orbegozo Foundation.

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Association Between Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure Among Medical Students of Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Birgunj

Birat Journal of Health Sciences ◽

10.3126/bjhs.v6i2.40354 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 1535-1539

Author(s):

Esha Shrestha ◽

Shreesh Shrestha ◽

Prashanna Shrestha ◽

Nirjala Laxmi Madhikarmi

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Medical Students ◽

Body Mass ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Mean Value ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

World Health ◽

The Mean ◽

Health Organization

Introduction: Body mass index is an important parameter associated with a variety of disease processes. The risk of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases increases with an increase in body mass index. The study was conducted to compare the relationship between body mass index and blood pressure. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and correlate the Obesity and Hypertension in medical students Methodology: The study was conducted in 200 students (113 males and 87 females). Height, weight and blood pressure were recorded from all participants and body mass index was calculated. The recorded body mass index was utilized to divide the student into underweight, normal, over weight and obese category according to the World Health organization body mass index classification. Hypertension was determined from the measure of blood pressure. Then comparison of blood pressure with body mass index was made. Results: Among 200 students 6% were obese, 22% were overweight, 65% were normal and 7% underweight. The mean height was 163cm and mean weight 60.48kg. The mean value of systolic blood pressure (105.85, 115.45, 134.95, 137.16 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (70.14, 76.15, 90.72, 93.33 mmHg) increased with increasing body mass index. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity increases the risk of hypertension among students.

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